Despite hopes that Belgium’s newly installed government, led by nationalist Bart De Wever and the New Flemish Alliance (N-VA), would take a firmer stance on antisemitism and improve relations with Israel, critics say the situation remains unchanged — or has even deteriorated, reports The Jerusalem Post.
The government’s coalition agreement notably removed any reference to antisemitism, opting instead for a generalised commitment to fighting racism. This decision has sparked concern among Jewish leaders and politicians who argue that antisemitism requires specific recognition and targeted action.
A recent parliamentary motion by Sam van Rooy, a member of the Vlaams Belang party, proposed distinguishing antisemitism from broader racism due to its unique nature. The ruling coalition rejected the motion, and one Jewish MP from the N-VA even walked out during the vote. Van Rooy has been outspoken in condemning what he views as the government’s inaction and hypocrisy.
The motion’s rejection followed other troubling incidents, including an antisemitic remark made by N-VA official Paul Cordy, who mocked the „broken Flemish” of a Jewish political rival, David Rosenberg.
Van Rooy has also criticised the government’s inaction regarding organisations linked to anti-Israel activity, such as the Hind Rajab Foundation (HRF), which reportedly works to target Israeli officials and IDF soldiers for prosecution in Europe. Despite receiving a detailed dossier of HRF’s alleged activities, Belgium’s justice minister has yet to respond or take any action.
The foundation’s founder, Dyab Abu Jaja, reportedly has links to Hezbollah and returned to Belgium after initially entering as an illegal immigrant. Van Rooy argues that Belgium’s lenient laws on NGOs make banning such groups difficult, but insists the case for banning HRF is strong due to its alleged terror links.
Van Rooy also condemned Belgium’s justice system for consistently issuing lenient sentences for antisemitic offences, including the recent acquittal of far-right columnist Herman Brusselmans, who publicly fantasised about stabbing Jews. According to Van Rooy, this verdict illustrates a double standard, where antisemitic hate speech is tolerated, but criticism of Islam often leads to prosecution.
“The justice system in Belgium is blind to antisemitism and anti-Israelism,” Van Rooy stated. “If you can write that you want to stab Jews and call it free speech, while people get convicted for holding signs criticising Islam, something is deeply wrong.”
He warned that these policies are contributing to a climate of fear among Belgian Jews, many of whom now question whether they have a future in the country.
Photo credit: YVES HERMAN/REUTERS
More News
